Electromagnetic traction-increasing device.



Patented Dec. 2, I902; A. A. HONEY.

ELECTROMAGNETIC TRACTION INCREASING DEVICE.

(Application filed Apx 1, 1902.

I No. 7|4,s95'.

\ (No Model.) I

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' UNITED rates PATENT @rrrcri.

ALBERT A. HONEY, OF TACOMA, WVASHINGTON.

ELECTROMAGNETIC TRACTlON-lNCREASING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,695, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed April 1, 1902. Serial No. 100,970. (No model.)

. citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electromagnetic Traction-Increasing Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

My invention relates to an electromagnetic mechanism which may be applied to steam or electric locomotives, cars, or other vehicles having magnetizable wheels running on rails of similar material for the purpose of increasing the adhesive power between the rails and the wheels.

The principal objects of my invention are to strengthen the magnetic circuit between one of the driving-wheels of a locomotive or motor-car and what may be termed an idlerwheel by shortening the bridge piece between the said wheels and surrounding it with a coil of Wire through which an electric current is directed when additional tractive power is required. I thus simplify the application of magnetic traction to existingtypes of locomotives, cars, &c., at comparatively slight cost.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation in outline of part of a steamlocomotive having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 illustrates a modified form of adapting the invention to a locomotive or electric car. Figs. 4. and 5 show further modifications.

Similar numerals of reference indicate si milar parts in the respective figures.

The frame 1 of a locomotive or car, Figs. 1 and 2, is constructed, as usual, with depending arms 2, between which the journal-boxes 3 of the axles 4 5, carrying the driving-wheels 6 7, are supported. J ournaled on the axles 4 and 5, near each driving-wheel, is a bar or core 8, of soft iron, on which is wound a coil of copper wire 9. Pivoted to the free end of each core is a small wheel 10, which I designate as an idler or idle wheel, so arranged as to bear on the track-rails in close proximity to its companion driving-Wheel.

' \Vhen an electric current from a suitable generator is caused to pass through the core 9,

the soft-iron bar or core 8 becomes a powerhigh to free it from the track when the electric current through the coil is'broken; but on closing the circuit the spring willyield and the idler be attracted to the rail. Another means for raising and lowering the idler is indicated in Fig; 1, consisting in the elbowlever 12, pivoted to the frame 1, one arm of said elbow-lever being connected to the core 9 by a link or rod 13, while from the other end a rod 14 extends to the cab or to some other convenient point of operation. The spring 11 maybe employed in connection with the lever mechanism, the former for raising the idler and the latter for lowering it and maintaining it in contact with the track.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a coil and an idler in connection with each-wheel; but one or more maybe dispensed with and the position of the remainder be varied to suit operating conditions. The idlers may be so placed as to travel in advance of or follow the drivingwheels, as seen in Fig. 1, or they may each be independently pivoted to a core 9 or mounted in pairs on an axle of non-magnetiz able material, as gun-metal, said axle turning in bearings onthe lower-ends of the cores. (See Fig. 2.) i

In the modification found in Fig. 3 but tw of the magnetic devices are represented on a double-truck electric car, one on each truck and on its opposite sides. 1

In the practice of my invention the tractive power may be readily varied to suit the conditions required by increasing or reducing the number of magnetic devices on the driving-axles. For very steep grades two of such devices may be applied to each wheel, as represented in Fig. i.

It is to be understood that wherevera fcar is mentioned in the following claims steam or electric locomotives, motor-cars, or other vehicles having wheels of magnetic material adapted to run on iron or steel surfaces are deemed its equivalents.

It is evident that modifications of constructions and combinations herein described may be made by the skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit of my invention, and such departures from what is herein shown not involving invention I consider as within the terms of my claims. Thus in place of the spring 11 a cylinder 15, (see Fig. 5,) bolted to the frame 1 and having a piston operated by compressed air, may be used for raising the idler-wheel from the rail, the piston-rod 16 being attached to the core 9. cases the strength of the spring 11 or the pressure of air in the cylinder will be greater than that required to overcome the weight of the core and attached idler-wheel. By this means additional Weight equal to the magnetic force required to overcome the spring or air pressure is placed on the supportingwheels.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination of a wheel, an idle wheel, a magnetizable bar extending between said wheels, and an electric coil or helix for magnetizing said bar and wheels, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination of awheel and its axle, an idle wheel, a magnetizable bar extending from said axle to the idle wheel, and an electric coil or helix for magnetizing said bar and wheels, substantially as set forth.

3. In .an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination of a wheel and its axle, an idle wheel and its axle, a magnetizable bar through which the axles pass, and an electric coil or helix for magnetizing said bar and wheels, substantially as set forth.

4:. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination of a Wheel and its axle, an idle wheel and its axle, a magnetizable bar through which the axles pass, and an electric coil or helix surrounding said bar for magnetizing it and the said wheels, su bstantially as set forth.

5. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination of a wheel and its axle, a magnetizable bar journaled on said axle, an idle wheel carried by said bar, and an electric coil or helix-surrounding said bar for magnetizing it and the said wheels, substantially as set forth.

6. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination of a wheel designed to run upon a rail, an axle for said In some wheel, a magnetizable bar journaled on said axle, an idle wheel carried by said bar and adapted to run on the same rail as the firstmentioned wheel, and an electric coil or helix surrounding said bar for magnetizing it and the aforesaid wheels, substantially as set forth.

7. In an electromagnetic traction-increas ing device, the combination of wheels carried by an axle, a magnetizable bar journaled on the axle in proximity to each wheel, a nonmagnetizable axle carried by said bars, idle wheels on said axle, and an independent electric coil or helix on each of said bars for magnetizing each bar and its attached wheels, substantially as set forth.

8. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination, with wheels and an axle of a car, of a magnetizable bar journaled on said axle, an idle wheel pivoted to the bar in line with one of the first-mentioned wheels and adapted to bear on the same rail, an'electric coil or helix surrounding said bar, and means for raising said idle wheel from the rail when the circuit through said coil is broken, substantially as set forth.

9. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination, with wheels and an axle of a car, of a magnetizable bar journaled on said axle, an idle wheel pivoted to the bar in line with and near the first-mentioned wheel, and adapted to bear on the same rail, an electric coil or helix surrounding said bar, a linkage for holding the idler in contact with a rail, and means for raising it therefrom, substantially as set forth.

10. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination, with a car-axle and its wheels, of an electromagnet journaled on the axle, an idle wheel pivoted to the electromagnet and adapted to bear on the same rail as the first-named wheel, said Wheels being of magnetizable substance and forming the poles of the electromagnet, and means for raising and lowering the idle wheel, substantially as set forth.

11. In an electromagnetic traction-increasing device, the combination, with a car-axle and its wheels, of an electromagnet having a journal-bearing on each end of its core, an idle wheel pivoted to one end of said core, the other end being mounted on said axle, and mechanism for raising and lowering the idle wheel, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.

ALBERT A. HONEY. [n s] Witnesses:

ALEXANDER REITH, B. H. HONEY. 

